From SHS to Public Health

Justen Daniels graduated with a Master of Public Health from Oakland University's School of Health Sciences in April 2022, making him a two-time OU alum, and is taking his skills from OU and the ECLIPSE program to the workforce to make a difference in health and education.

“Education is, in my mind, the most underrated social determinant of health,” Daniels explains, and he is working to improve this area in the field of public health through employment and volunteering. Daniels recently served as the Program Coordinator at Pontiac Promise Zone, a nonprofit tuition assistance scholarship program that provides up to $36,000 for eligible Pontiac students to attend college, university, trade school or certificate programs in Michigan. Daniels is now the Prevention Program Coordinator and the Designated Youth Tobacco Use Representative for Oakland County for the Alliance of Coalitions for Healthy Communities. He will also maintain his involvement at Pontiac Promise Zone. 

Daniels greatly enjoys helping students. He feels like he can relate to them as he is a recent graduate who also navigated the pandemic. “I'm able to talk with them, go through successful career coaching and work through different obstacles that I’ve faced,” Daniels says, “I can help them tackle it so it’s not so much a deterrent to them.”

While receiving his bachelor’s degree, Daniels participated in ECLIPSE, an undergraduate leadership development program specific to OU’s School of Health Sciences. The program is designed to provide students with skills to improve patient and community health outcomes while also helping them stand out in competitive fields.  “I really credit ECLIPSE with helping me develop leadership skills and public speaking,” Daniels states. Through ECLIPSE, Daniels had the opportunity to speak in front of large crowds at various OU events, talk to prospective students and peer mentor within ECLIPSE. One of the things Daniels took from ECLIPSE into the workforce is the quality of being an empathetic leader, which he has now adopted into his leadership philosophy.

Having now moved into the professional workforce and having gained two degrees from OU, Daniels encourages ECLIPSE students to take advantage of the opportunities that the program offers, such as networking, resume and cover letter building, career services and more. Daniels also encourages ECLIPSE students to ask questions. “When you ask questions,” Daniels explains, “you really stand out. You’re also getting to learn more. That one question can lead to finding your dream.”

To learn more about ECLIPSE and the benefits offered to students, visit the ECLIPSE website.